Lately I've been really into these "Spritzer" drinks. They're just carbonated water with (delicious) natural flavors added like blood orange and cherry lemonade.

The only problem is the sweetener that they use. The drink has zero sugar in it, and the natural sweetener has no direct chemical effect on insulin production. This sounds great at first, but when the body takes in something sweet, it releases insulin anyway in preperation for what it assumes is going to be a high intake of calories. So, even though the drinks don't have a direct chemical effect on the body's insulin production (the way a sugary drink would), they trick the body into thinking it's getting sugars; causing it to dump a bunch of insulin which it then has no use for.

So, I tend to drink them only with meals. I take in a lot of calories for my muscles, so I make sure to put every little insulin spike to good use.

The only problem is the sweetener that they use. The drink has zero sugar in it, and the natural sweetener has no direct chemical effect on insulin production. This sounds great at first, but when the body takes in something sweet, it releases insulin anyway in preperation for what it assumes is going to be a high intake of calories. So, even though the drinks don't have a direct chemical effect on the body's insulin production (the way a sugary drink would), they trick the body into thinking it's getting sugars; causing it to dump a bunch of insulin which it then has no use for.

So, I tend to drink them only with meals. I take in a lot of calories for my muscles, so I make sure to put every little insulin spike to good use.

Wow, that sounds uncomfortably complex. But I can understand craving something that can cause discomfort. I really shouldn't drink soda any more but I can't stop.

The only problem is the sweetener that they use. The drink has zero sugar in it, and the natural sweetener has no direct chemical effect on insulin production. This sounds great at first, but when the body takes in something sweet, it releases insulin anyway in preperation for what it assumes is going to be a high intake of calories. So, even though the drinks don't have a direct chemical effect on the body's insulin production (the way a sugary drink would), they trick the body into thinking it's getting sugars; causing it to dump a bunch of insulin which it then has no use for.

So, I tend to drink them only with meals. I take in a lot of calories for my muscles, so I make sure to put every little insulin spike to good use.

Wow, that sounds uncomfortably complex. But I can understand craving something that can cause discomfort. I really shouldn't drink soda any more but I can't stop.

Most of my nutritional intake is uncomfortably complex. lol. When I got into fitness a few years back, it became a complete lifestyle. In a way, it has to. There's nothing that passes my lips without my knowing every chemical bond that makes it up. Of course, it's second nature now. Still drives some people crazy when I go on rants about the complexities (and simplicities) of a slice of toast, though.

(09-02-2013 10:21 AM)Cardinal Smurf Wrote: Wow, that sounds uncomfortably complex. But I can understand craving something that can cause discomfort. I really shouldn't drink soda any more but I can't stop.

Most of my nutritional intake is uncomfortably complex. lol. When I got into fitness a few years back, it became a complete lifestyle. In a way, it has to. There's nothing that passes my lips without my knowing every chemical bond that makes it up. Of course, it's second nature now. Still drives some people crazy when I go on rants about the complexities (and simplicities) of a slice of toast, though.

(09-02-2013 10:30 AM)Misanthropik Wrote: Most of my nutritional intake is uncomfortably complex. lol. When I got into fitness a few years back, it became a complete lifestyle. In a way, it has to. There's nothing that passes my lips without my knowing every chemical bond that makes it up. Of course, it's second nature now. Still drives some people crazy when I go on rants about the complexities (and simplicities) of a slice of toast, though.

I suspect you miss a lot of fun due to this

Not at all, actually. I eat half an apple pie after every workout. Then I down it with the most delicious chocolate protein shake you've ever tasted.

I voted Creamy Soda, but I also really like Root Beer as well. Both of these twang my tastebuds in just the right way. I usually treat myself to one of these from the local general store in the summertime after working outside, such as in my garden, or on a car (nothing to mechanical, I assure you) or after a day of shooting and/or fishing. It may make me sound like a country bumpkin, and maybe I am, but it is something I enjoy. Brings a smile to my face. I don't normally drink either of this on a regular basis, to me these are kind of special drinks I have as a small reward or to end a pleasant summer day. Normally I have a pepsi, water, or tea (served hot or cold) and sometimes a coffee, particularly to get me going after a night with little sleep, or sometimes in the evening on a cold night.